Uncle in Spanish
The Spanish word for 'uncle' is 'tío', pronounced TEE-oh (IPA: /ˈtio/). It is an A1-level masculine noun (plural: tíos).
Pronunciation: TEE-oh
| Spanish | tío |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | TEE-oh · /ˈtio/ |
| Part of speech | noun (masculine) |
| Plural | tíos |
| Level | A1 (beginner-friendly) |
Example Sentences with 'tío'
- Mi tío Carlos me lleva al cine.
My uncle Carlos takes me to the movies. - El tío de Marta trabaja en un banco.
Marta's uncle works in a bank. - Tengo cuatro tíos por parte de mi madre.
I have four uncles on my mother's side. - Mi tío es el hermano menor de mi mamá.
My uncle is my mom's younger brother.
How to Use 'tío'
The plural 'tíos' can mean 'uncles' or 'aunt(s) and uncle(s)' together: 'mis tíos' often refers to an aunt-and-uncle couple. The written accent marks two syllables: TEE-oh.
Regional note: In Spain, 'tío' is everyday slang for 'guy/dude' ('¡Hola, tío!'); this use is not common in Latin America.
Related Vocabulary
Keep going: review Spanish vocabulary guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
'Uncle' in Spanish is 'tío', pronounced TEE-oh.
It is spelled t-í-o.
'Tío' is masculine: you say 'el tío'.
The plural of 'tío' is 'tíos'.
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